Missing Children Publication Hub

The publications in this section contain the results of our research as well as curated research on topics and issues relevant to missing children in Europe and the world. Example of the type of research you can find are understanding the causes of the different types of missing children cases in Europe, policy on missing children, search and rescue operations and family support. The menu and submenu options below will help you find what you're looking for.

If you'd like to share relevant research with us, please send the title, a link and description of the research to info@missingchildreneurope.eu.

Missing and abducted children: A law enforcement guide to case investigation and program management(by Eds: Preston Findlay, Robert G Lowery)

Guide to assist law enforcement in the search for missing children. Its two goals are to provide (1) Police Officers with a step by step info. On how to respond to and investigate missing child cases, and (2) Administrators with the programmatic framework to manage the missing-child response within their agency's jurisdiction

Research within the framework of developing a “Child Alert system”, a project coordinated by Child Focus.

Child Alerts for missing children: need for a balanced and integrated approach by Missing Children Europe

Endangered missing children for which a child alert system can be of use constitute an average 1 to 2% of the total cases of missing children. While child alert systems can be of use in those 1 to 2%, the overall problem of missing children - of which an average 60% concern children running away from situations of conflict, abuse, violence and neglect - requires a much more comprehensive approach, including measures aimed at prevention and empowerment.

Still in Harm's Way: An update report on trafficked and unaccompanied children going missing from care in the UK by ECPAT UK and Missing People

Following on from their ground-breaking 2016 report Heading Back to Harm, leading charities ECPAT UK and Missing People have revisited the issue using 2017 data to assess what has changed. This report shows that trafficked and unaccompanied children are still going missing from care at an alarmingly high rate.

Missing Persons A handbook of research by Karen Shalev Greene and Llian Alys

This groundbreaking book brings together for the first time ideas and expertise across this vast subject area into one interconnected publication. It explores the subjects of missing children, missing adults, the investigative process of missing person cases, and the families of missing persons.

The cultural nature of missing by Joe Apps

The notions of trying to define 'missing' and 'missingness' are fascinating. Many people, who are reported to authorities as being missing by family and friends, do not consider themselves as missing persons; when found, they are surprised that they have been considered as 'missing'. Adults have rights to do as they please and also the right to be forgotten.

Figures and Trends 2015 by Missing Children Europe

Every year Missing Children Europe collects data and statistics on missing children reported to hotlines for missing children active in all EU Member States and to the Cross Border Family mediator network.

Development of EU template and collection plan for statistical information and analysis on missing and sexually exploited children and trafficking in human beings in order to have reliable and comparable collection and analysis of indicators and other data, as well as enabling communication between EU, other EU bodies and third party organisations.

Report summarising findings from the Second National Incidence Studies of Missing, Abducted, Runaway, and Thrownaway Children. National estimates of missing children based on surveys of households, juvenile residential facilities, and law enforcement agencies.

Business Case-Situation Report: Gwent Multi-Agency Missing Children and Young People Project by Ian Jones

Findings from the Gwent Multi-Agency Missing Children Workshops

Children's rights must be a priority in the strategic guidelines by Anon

This submission's aim is to raise awareness among EU countries in Children disappearances especially those affected by migration. More support is needed by creating institutions that will help them.

Outlines the history and activation process of the Amber Alert, as well as the challenges and advantages experienced by the agencies involved.

Position paper: Child tracking devices by Missing Children Europe

A tracking device is an electronic security mechanism which allows monitoring the location of a person or an object. Over the past years, many tracking devices have been developed enabling adults to monitor and locate their children. This paper outlines Missing Children Europe's research and opinion on the issue of using child tracking devices.

Missing children figures and trends 2014 by Missing Children Europe

An annual data collection exercise to collect data on the numbers, categories and trends of missing children in Europe based on calls and cases dealt with by 116 000 missing children hotlines across Europe. While effective and standardised data collection mechanisms are lacking in Europe, this annual review provides for one of the only reliable and updated sources of information on missing children for the past year.

Investigating missing children cases: a guide for first responders and investigators by Sprague, D. F.

Provides a solid training guide on missing children investigative techniques, enabling law enforcement professionals to respond confidently with a plan of action that offers the best possible chance for a positive outcome.

INTERACT: Report on multi-agency practical simulations on fictional cases in Belgium, France, Greece, Italy, the United Kingdom and Sweden by Missing Children Europe

This report illustrates the implementation and the results of the simulations of cases of missing children in migration is order to test practices and procedures for multi-agency collaboration at national and cross-border level.

The research addresses the question of how effective Supermarket Posters are in Helping to Find Missing Children

Missing Children in the European Union Mapping, data collection and statistics by European Commission

Collected and analysed data, and developed the basis to improve the mechanisms involved when children go missing in the 27 EU Member States.

Missing Children Memorandum to the EU by Delphine Moralis

Recommendations on effective European strategies regarding the cross-border problem of missing children.

Looking back: 15 years of prevention and responses to missing children in the European Union by Delphine Moralis

In 2001, the Council of the European Union adopted a Resolution on the contribution of civil society in finding missing or sexually exploited children under the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU. The Resolution coincided with the launch at the European Parliament of the European Federation for Missing and Sexually Exploited Children - now operating under the name Missing Children Europe. It also announced the beginning of a series of initiatives taken at the level of the EU to protect children from going missing. Measures taken over the past 15 years have included legislation, policy and funding, often promoting a public private partnerships response involving a broad range of stakeholders at different levels.
The presentation will outline and contextualise some of these key European initiatives and their impact at national level, including the latest data on the caseload of hotlines for missing children reachable in 29 European countries through the same European telephon

To date, few attempts have been made to evaluate the effectiveness of publicity campaigns, all of which were carried out in the USA. While scarce, the research tends to reveal disappointing results and suggest that publicity appeals don’t necessarily positively impact the investigation or search. The dissemination of images of missing children furthermore raises potential issues regarding the impact that it may have on the protection of the child’s privacy and overall wellbeing. Others however argue that appeals can help to gather vital information from the public and safeguard children at risk, with Child Alert systems in particular having been credited for safeguarding missing children (OJJPD, 2016). These views call for further research to ensure the effectiveness
of publicity appeals in their potential of saving lives, while limiting the negative impact for missing children and their families.

Family Factors and Runaway Missing Children: A Review of Theories and Research by Ravi Shankar B. G., Ravindra D.Gadkar

This paper reviews the research that has investigated the relationship between family factors and runaway incidence of Children. It also examines the prominent theories to understand runaway phenomena. It aims to assist practitioners and policy makers who work with children and families to make evidence informed
decisions

The European hotline number for missing children: A practical guide for hotline operators by Missing Children Europe

It contains key recommendations and examples of existing practices that every NGO running, or wishing to run, the 116000 hotline can draw inspiration from and make use of.

Still Hidden by Nicola Sharp

The article underlines and explores the possible link between children that go missing and child sexual exploitation.

The challenges of international cross-border investigations by Charlie Hedges

The presentation will highlight the difficulties encountered in international investigations in Europe without borders and beyond the European Union.

Missing person investigations are widely regarded as a demanding challenge for the police service. This article examines the attitudes and experiences of police supervisors to the risk assessment process in such investigations.

Police Search Advisers (PolSAs) and the search for missing people by Lucy Holmes and Penny Woolnough

This research explores: the nature and extent to which PolSAs are involved in missing person cases; the nature of the relationship between PolSAs and SIOs; multiagency working (including other search agencies); the potential personal pressures PolSAs face and strategies to mitigate against these; procedural / process / organisational related aspects of the PolSA role including opportunities for improvement; PolSA training; and encounters and familiarity with families of missing persons.